The Before and After series focuses on the two or three key creative choices, in terms of composition and processing, that go into creating an image. Specific technical details about the shot have been left out — you won’t hear me talking about tone curve adjustments and whatnot unless it was a key component of the end result.

Shari rehearses for the KDH Dance Company.

Exposure

Shutter: 1/500

Aperture: f/2.8

ISO: 3200

Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (at 115mm)

Composition and Processing

This shot is part of a series I did just after getting the Canon 1D4. I wanted to see if I could get crisp, quality shots at ISO 3200 and above because I wanted to use the 70-200mm lens more with this subject. It seems to have worked ok with this shot, but over time I’ve found that the drop in image quality from ISO 1600 to 3200 isn’t worth it (I’d rather shoot at f/2 and ISO 1600).

I probably should have gone back and lightened Shari’s face a little in this image. You can see how it’s slightly red and darker than her skin and the background (due to the exertion of the rehearsal). The color is really just fine, it only stands out because the rest of her skin is paler.

I’m also beginning to wonder about the right backgrounds to process images against. I usually use a medium gray in Lightroom, but that makes image backgrounds like this look white by comparison, only to appear light gray against a whiter background (like on flickr, facebook or this blog). The right lesson here is to check it against multiple backgrounds to make sure the appearance is what’s intended.

I’m getting a bit of a catchlight in Shari’s eyes from the windows behind me; that’s keeping the eyes from turning into black dots at this distance.

The Before and After series focuses on the two or three key creative choices, in terms of composition and processing, that go into creating an image. Specific technical details about the shot have been left out — you won’t hear me talking about tone curve adjustments and whatnot unless it was a key component of the end result.

Rick checks his height before attempting the 5 mph go-karts.

Exposure

Shutter: 1/400

Aperture: f/4.0

ISO: 400

Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Composition and Processing

Most of my shots place a strong emphasis on either the shape and form of the image, or the expressions/emotions of the subjects. Sometimes though a shot is simply about the content, as in this case of placing Rick (who really isn’t that short) next to the minimum height sign at the kart track.

The Before and After series focuses on the two or three key creative choices, in terms of composition and processing, that go into creating an image. Specific technical details about the shot have been left out — you won’t hear me talking about tone curve adjustments and whatnot unless it was a key component of the end result.

A shot from the MAC benefit tournament a few years ago.

Exposure

Shutter: 1/2000

Aperture: f/2.0

ISO: 200

Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Lens: Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

Composition and Processing

So here’s another blocking shot without the ball or the other player, this time in profile. This shot made the cut largely because of all the small supporting cues that this is at the peak of the action: sand flying everywhere, the player’s expression, the shorts billowing upward from the jump, and the strained reach as the player extends as far as possible.

I cropped just a tiny bit in order to move the player to the right without making making the frame disproportionately narrower.